Alethiometer

KatinScarlet

New Member
I just finished my version of an Alethiometer.

Alethiometer_front_425.jpg


I wanted to make it in a way that anyone could copy (for my website). Getting the round shape without using a lathe, I used an old model makers trick of using a profile on a spindle and car filler (about 5 goes to get this lovely shape.) For the glass, I used the shoulder of a 2 litre Pepsi bottle cut in a circle, which I think is fairly convincing and is certainly easy to do. The icon ring I took from a large picture I found on the web and converted it into a vector file so that I could get rid of the illustrated shadows and stuff and even up the segments which were a tiny bit out of alignment in the picture on the book.

From what I have seen of the film trailers, and then on the Golden Compass website, the film prop of the Alethiometer differs somewhat from the image on the cover of the book, which for me is a more faithful representation of the device described in the book. This model is based on the book cover image and I guess when the film comes out I might be tempted to make an alternative version (in some ways it looks easier to make.)

Full instructions on how I made mine and all the graphics and templates you need just like this (also available in US Letter format)

Alethiometer_template_TN_A4.gif


Alethiometer_standing_246.jpg


which will enable you to make one for yourself can be found free on my website http://www.dadcando.com/ right here

I hope you like it. Do tell me what you think of it. AND If you make one, do please tell me and post a picture here or message me so that we can exchange emails and you can email me a picture.
 
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This is awsome, well done !
(I have just finished reading the book, which I can recommend to anyone on this forum, BTW.)

I have much repect for you sharing the work you put in to this:cheers

Cardsinc are doing a range of Golden Compass, so will be interesting to see what comes out.....
DAn
 
This is awsome, well done !
(I have just finished reading the book, which I can recommend to anyone on this forum, BTW.)

I have much repect for you sharing the work you put in to this:cheers

Cardsinc are doing a range of Golden Compass, so will be interesting to see what comes out.....
DAn

Yes I loved the book, but if you like that you will love Gormenghast. I recommend reading that one first even though it is the second of the trilogy (you might have to struggle through the first chapter as a result, but so well worth it. Almost one of the best books I have ever read. Thx for the nice comments BTW, glad you like it!
 
Actually, couldn't you modify your profile to leave a gap for a nut or some other attachment. You could then drill through the wood filler and attach knobs (I used thumbscrews on my toy ones).
 
Actually, couldn't you modify your profile to leave a gap for a nut or some other attachment. You could then drill through the wood filler and attach knobs (I used thumbscrews on my toy ones).

yes good point. I wanted the thing to be as simple as possible to make so I stopped short of making the thumbscrews turnable, but to have them turn and the hands move... that would be cool. There is some Lego Technic that would do it for one thumbscrew and one hand, but three together... you need some nested right angle cogs and machinery for that... but nice to dream. Weren't you making a machined one. I saw the beginnings of it on your fabulous site but now I look for it and it is not there, or have I missed it. (BTW your site has some truly lovely stuff on it).
 
It's still there: http://www.curiousgood.com/?page_id=133 I've just not done much on it. . . well, in forever!

The hands on my tin alethiometers are all attached because I found the individual hands ripped off and were flimsy (especially when a 6-year-old is running around with it).

I meant to make hands out of the bottom of a deli tray, but I've not done it. I also thought about using the same deli tray to create thicker hands, a la shrinky dinks (http://www.instructables.com/id/EIW10VHVUOES9J6JE0/), but unfortunately, my niece and nephew just weren't as into the alethiometers as I expected.
 
Kids! still I think they might change their tune after the film has come out! (weird having two conversations at the same time)...
 
It's still there: http://www.curiousgood.com/?page_id=133 I've just not done much on it. . . well, in forever!

The hands on my tin alethiometers are all attached because I found the individual hands ripped off and were flimsy (especially when a 6-year-old is running around with it).

I meant to make hands out of the bottom of a deli tray, but I've not done it. I also thought about using the same deli tray to create thicker hands, a la shrinky dinks (http://www.instructables.com/id/EIW10VHVUOES9J6JE0/), but unfortunately, my niece and nephew just weren't as into the alethiometers as I expected.

Kids! still I think that they'll probably change their tune when the film comes out in this Christmas! (wierd having two conversations at the same time)
 
I'm really impressed with the Aletiometers that are being produced here.

'The Golden Compass' is one of my favorite books, and 'His Dark Materials' is certainly one of the most underrated series of recent memory. For the disgruntled catholic in me, these books are (ahem) golden.

Thanks guys. Really, really great work.
 
WOW! KatinScarlet, Great job on the Prop:thumbsup and you are so generous with helping others build their very own Alethiometer...you just made yourself many new friends!! :)

I just finished my version of an Alethiometer.

Alethiometer_front_425.jpg


I wanted to make it in a way that anyone could copy (for my website). Getting the round shape without using a lathe, I used an old model makers trick of using a profile on a spindle and car filler (about 5 goes to get this lovely shape.) For the glass, I used the shoulder of a 2 litre Pepsi bottle cut in a circle, which I think is fairly convincing and is certainly easy to do. The icon ring I took from a large picture I found on the web and converted it into a vector file so that I could get rid of the illustrated shadows and stuff and even up the segments which were a tiny bit out of alignment in the picture on the book.

From what I have seen of the film trailers, and then on the Golden Compass website, the film prop of the Alethiometer differs somewhat from the image on the cover of the book, which for me is a more faithful representation of the device described in the book. This model is based on the book cover image and I guess when the film comes out I might be tempted to make an alternative version (in some ways it looks easier to make.)

Full instructions on how I made mine and all the graphics and templates you need just like this (also available in US Letter format)

Alethiometer_template_TN_A4.gif


Alethiometer_standing_246.jpg


which will enable you to make one for yourself can be found free on my website http://www.dadcando.com/ right here

I hope you like it. Do tell me what you think of it. AND If you make one, do please tell me and post a picture here or message me so that we can exchange emails and you can email me a picture.
 
I'm really impressed with the Aletiometers that are being produced here.

'The Golden Compass' is one of my favorite books, and 'His Dark Materials' is certainly one of the most underrated series of recent memory. For the disgruntled catholic in me, these books are (ahem) golden.

Thanks guys. Really, really great work.

No probs, thanks for the nice comments, if you make one, be sure to post va picture here... cheers
 
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